Intragastric Balloon
Intragastric Balloon
Although some people ignore it, obesity is a serious health issue that underlies the majority of the world’s common diseases. However, cutting-edge medical tools provide important support to fight obesity. A frequent moniker for techniques used to control obesity is bariatric surgery, sometimes known as weight loss surgery or stomach reduction surgery. The gastric balloon is non-surgical procedure and a very successful new-generation technique.
A gastric balloon is a low-complexity procedure that enables patients to lose weight quickly and effectively, and scientific studies have reported encouraging weight loss results.
Cancer is just one of the health issues that obesity can cause. The available information and clinical trials demonstrate that treating obesity is a considerably more efficient strategy to prevent obesity-related disorders than merely treating the symptoms.
It is known that bariatric surgery has significant health risks, it is, therefore, essential to perform all required procedures to address these concerns.
What Is An Intragastric Balloon?
It is a synthetic implant that resembles a balloon called an intragastric balloon. This balloon, which is endoscopically put into the stomach, can be filled with liquid or with air. This treatment can be used for a period of six months or a year and is removed in the same manner as it was introduced. It is based on the idea of decreasing gastric capacity by forming an indigestible area within it rather than by reducing stomach volume.
Placement Of Interagastric Balloons
The silicone in the composition of the intragastric balloon gives it a sufficient amount of strength. This device is available in two varieties: one filled with liquid, and the other with air. Both can be chosen. An intragastric balloon stays in the stomach for a year and often do not cause any problem. The volume of the balloon is about 700 cc and can be set (adjusted) at intervals. Rarely, there may be a leaking condition, in which case the issue is resolved by endoscopic intervention or balloon removal.
History of The Intragastric Balloon Procedure
Intragastric balloon, a weight-loss device authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), first entered our lives in 1985. Practices as a medical procedure started in 1987 and 1988, and in 1992, it was subject to debate due to some negative effects. With the current implementation method, which was completed in 2015 and licensed by the U.S. Medical Tool and Drug Administration, the procedure is being practised as a medical protocol in almost every country. Particularly, France is the country where intragastric balloons are used most frequently.
How Intragastric Balloon Treatment Is Performed?
Getting An Intragastric Balloon Treatment
The surgeon applies the intragastric balloon in a medical environment. There is no other application method yet. Plus, this treatment is not suitable for everyone. It is therefore essential to conduct a preliminary examination and, if necessary, a thorough consultation. So, you should get in touch with the surgeon before choosing a treatment method and ask them to recommend the most appropriate treatment method for you. The surgeon will decide the right procedure for you. It’s crucial to keep in mind that your surgeon has the discretion, authority, and obligation to perform all medical treatments. Surgeons also make decisions regarding your treatment and follow pre-determined medical procedures.
How To Lose Weight With Intragastric Balloon?
An intragastric balloon is not a weight-loss supplement or a device that quickens the metabolism. This device limits the amount of food the stomach can hold after being consumed, thus reducing overeating. The absence of an incision and other important advantages of an intragastric balloon allows the patient to return to normal life quickly and start burning calories with daily activities. Accordingly, unlike other weight loss operations, an intragastric balloon has fewer workout restrictions. In this method, patients can participate in specific sports, which help them to increase their weight loss rate as necessary. However, after the intragastric balloon treatment, it is very challenging to experience a spontaneous weight loss process. Even when the amount of nutrients ingested per meal is reduced, if the total daily caloric intake is not decreased and the types of nutrients consumed are not appropriate for the diet suggested by the surgeon, the result may be less satisfactory than anticipated.
After the surgery, the patient should strictly adhere to the daily exercise program and eat the right foods at the right meals. Only if these principles are followed, this treatment can be successful, as in all bariatric surgeries. For a successful post-treatment period, regular appointments with your surgeon and dietitian are necessary.
Who can get an intragastrical balloon treatment?
- Patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher
- Patients who can’t lose weight despite trying numerous diet and exercise regimens
- Obese patients who are at risk for surgery
- Patients over 18 and under 60 years of age
The surgeon decides whether to perform an intragastric balloon treatment. The patient’s physically good condition for treatment is not the only sufficient factor. During the consultation, the surgeon might advise the patient to follow a diet. So, if you meet the physical requirements, this alone does not guarantee that your intragastrical balloon treatment application will be approved.
Who Can Not Get An Intragastrical Balloon Treatment?
Outside of these physical requirements, people who suffer from obesity that is more severe than a certain point may need to follow a diet program for a certain period before having an intragastric balloon treatment. Some other diseases and medication use are among the factors that can prevent an intragastric balloon treatment. With the doctor’s evaluation, the treatment decision is made positively or negatively. The following are unsuitable candidates for intragastric balloon treatment:
- Drugs and alcohol addict
- Patients who are expecting or who plan to get pregnant
- Those who suffer from severe lung, renal, heart, and other problems
- Patients who had oesophageal and gastric surgery
- Patients who must regularly use blood thinners
- Patients with reflux and a hiatal hernia
- Peptic ulcer, gastritis, and duodenitis patients
What ages are suitable for an intragastric balloon treatment?
Adults can get an intragastric balloon treatment. The allowed age range is 18 to 60 years. However, the age restriction might be raised from 16 to 75, depending on the individual conditions. As indicated above, “Who can get an intragastrical balloon treatment”, appropriate arrangements can be made for different age groups considering obesity and its effect on the individual. Often, early obesity surgery is not preferred. Such a procedure is considered risky because even diets for children in the developmental stage should be applied with extreme caution. However, after performing in-depth examinations, the age restriction for this treatment may be slightly lowered if obesity becomes a greater danger than other risks.
Increasing the age limit for the treatment is also a decision that can be made after an extensive examination because as people age, nutritional needs become more important. If the doctor decides that the treatment is appropriate and that there are no risks, the decision for an operation can be made.
What are the pros of gastric balloon procedure?
The main advantage of intragastric balloon is that it is simpler than other procedures for treating obesity and has lower risks. The gastric balloon procedure is carried out endoscopically and is reversible at any time. So, in case of a side effect, immediate action can be taken. Since it is not a permanent implant and has no negative impact on the body; it simply stays in the stomach while the patient loses weight. For people with stomach problems, it is a more practical alternative since the negative effects can be resolved more effectively at this stage.
What is the price of a gastric balloon procedure?
Of course, the intragastric balloon treatment costs less than the majority of other methods. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and the patient gets back into daily routines without downtime. This is why this treatment is more economic.
Risks And Complications
When inserting the balloon, there is a very small chance of bleeding and stomach and oesophagal perforation. Initially, stomach discomfort, nausea, and/or vomiting may occur. Drugs administered intravenously and orally are used to treat such problems, and the patient eventually gets used to the balloon. Plus, drowsiness and fatigue may occur during the first few weeks due to the decrease in daily fluid consumption.. If the balloon perforates and the air escapes via the intestines, a bowel obstruction can occur which should be surgically repaired.
Unexpected intragastric balloon perforation is extremely uncommon. When it explodes, the blue water inside seeps into the intestines, turning the urine a blueish-green colour. In this case, the balloon is removed without surgery.
Even though the complication rate is quite low, a doctor should be contacted immediately if an unexpected condition is observed after this application. The occurrence of an uncommon circumstance other than those the surgeon has predicted may be an indicator of another issue or a consequence of the procedure. In this case, your doctor suggests you a solution.
Post-Procedure Recovery What To Eat After The Operation?
In the first days after the intragastric balloon treatment, a personalized eating program should be followed. During the first week after surgery since some difficulties are likely, the patient shouldn’t overexert his/her stomach. Liquid feeding is the most accurate strategy during the first three days because spasms could manifest once the balloon has settled in the stomach. The diet can be gradually returned to a more normal diet at a later time.
Patients should strictly avoid eating as much as they ate in the periods before the balloon was applied to them. For instance, if you used to eat 500 grams of food at each meal before the balloon, you should eat less after the balloon. If you try to eat the same amount of food, serious problems may arise as the balloon will not allow you to consume that amount of food. Excessive bloating may happen because your stomach won’t be able to digest the amount that it used to digest before the operation. If this problem persists, this treatment will not provide the expected results and you cannot lose weight.
After this treatment, you should pay great attention to your food consumption. For a certain period, excessively fatty foods, carb-heavy foods, and acidic beverages should be avoided. Since you would be on a diet to lose weight, you should also control your eating habits.
You must strictly adhere to the plan that your doctor and/or dietitian provided. Since diet is a part of this treatment, it should be applied without compromise. With the help of this supplement treatment along with an appropriate diet, you can lose weight as expected in a healthy manner. It should not be noted that all obesity surgery procedures enable weight loss at the end of a process, and a well-planned and followed diet plays a significant role in this process.
After this process, it will be important to pay close attention to food consumption. For a specific amount of time, excessively fatty foods, carb-heavy foods, and acidic beverages should be avoided. As you will be on a diet in order to lose weight, your eating habits should already be under control.
You must strictly adhere to the plan that your doctor and/or dietitian will provide for you. This system is a part of the procedure, hence it shouldn’t malfunction. By taking this supplement treatment along with the appropriate diet, you can lose weight within the anticipated time frame in a healthy manner. It should not be forgotten that all obesity surgery procedures enable weight loss at the conclusion of a process, and a deliberate and organized diet plays a significant role in this process.
Post-Operative Exercises for Weight Loss
Exercises after an intragastric balloon treatment are similar to those after other obesity surgeries. However, patients who underwent an intragastric balloon treatment should be careful and remember that there is an implant in their stomach. During the recovery period, you should avoid participating in any sports and exercise that can cause a blow to your stomach, engaging in activities like hard lifting and/or boxing. But that does not mean that you cannot participate in any sports. Sports, or regular exercise and workouts, on the other hand, are crucial for losing weight. Do light exercise, and stay away from sports that require a lot of effort. Prioritize sports that include running.
If you are still fighting obesity and have an immediate need to lose weight, engaging in vigorous exercise puts your body at risk for additional health problems as well as the intragastric balloon. So, before engaging in any specific sport activity, consult your doctor. Keep in mind that your doctor or dietitian, not a gym coach, can give you the right advice. You must follow this rule because, after the treatment, wrong sports can be quite risky for you.
If you exercise and eat reasonably, as well as follow the principles explained above, you can lose weight. Never disregard medical recommendations for a healthy post-operative process.